Method and device for specifying affected parts

ABSTRACT

A method of specifying affected parts characterized by comprising the steps of detecting radiation emitted from a human body in a pinpointed manner by a radiation detector ( 1 ), inputting a detected radiation dose or intensity to a computer ( 3 ), and displaying radiation doses or intensities at respective portions of the body on a body distribution diagram on a monitor screen ( 4 ). The above radiation doses or intensities are measured while the radiation detector ( 1 ) is being gradually distanced from the body, and maximum distances at which the radiation detector can detect radiation rays are set as measurements, thereby obtaining data simply.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a method and device for detecting andspecifying an area of visceral disorder and an area of neural disordersuch as stress by measuring the dose or intensity of radiation emittedfrom a human body.

BACKGROUND ART

The applicant applied earlier for a patent for a radiation tester usedfor the same purpose as the present invention (Japanese PatentApplication Laid-Open Publication No. 1994-130152).

The application for a patent is comprised of collecting radiation ofmillimeters in wavelength from the patient, guiding radiation into aconverging chamber via a diaphragm hole, changing radiation into anelectrostatic property on a testing plate disposed at the rear portionof the converging chamber, generating a frictional force in the testingplate by the intensity of the radiation and having the friction detectedby a skilled technician with a finger tip, thus allowing measurement ofthe intensity of radiation.

The aforementioned prior art had the problems listed below.

Firstly, the above radiation tester, designed for skilled technicians todetect friction with his or her finger tip, is unable to quantify thedose or intensity of radiation. This makes it difficult, if variousareas of a human body are inspected, to record the radiation status atindividual areas in a data form, involving difficulties in specifyingaffected parts.

Secondly, intended to make measurement based on change in frictiongrasped with a finger tip, the radiation tester can only be handled byskilled persons, possibly resulting in measurement error if the personin charge of measurement is lowly skilled.

Thirdly, all waves collected by the horn are guided to the testing platevia the converging chamber. This has, if electromagnetic waves otherthan radiation emitted from human body are included, hindered accuratemeasurement, possibly resulting in lack of measurement reliability.

It is an object of the present invention to solve these technicalproblems of the prior art.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The applicant found that, during examination of radiation of a number ofpatients using the prior art radiation tester, radiation emitted from ahuman body is detected even far from the human body when the dose orintensity thereof is large and is detected only close to the human bodyif the dose or intensity thereof is small.

The present invention is based on the knowledge and allows foracquisition of the dose or intensity of radiation, previously difficultto obtain, as quantified numeric data by obtaining the dose or intensityof radiation as numeric data in which the dose or intensity of radiationis replaced with the distance from the human body. However, expressingthe dose or intensity of radiation in numerical value by replacing withthe distance is not absolutely necessary. It is possible, if asensor-equipped detector capable of outputting the dose or intensity ofradiation as numerical value, to use the dose or intensity of radiationas numerical data by making available an appropriate numerical scale.

The invention according to claim 1 relates to a method of specifyingaffected parts and is characterized in that radiation emitted from ahuman body is detected in a pinpointed manner by a radiation detectorand the dose or intensity of detected radiation is entered into acomputer, thus displaying the dose or intensity of radiation for eacharea of the human body in a human body distribution diagram on themonitor screen.

Here, the term “in a pinpointed manner” is not limited to pinpointed andextremely small areas and includes those spanning about 10 centimetersin diameter.

The invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that measurementof the dose or intensity of radiation is conducted as the radiationdetector is gradually moved farther from the human body and that themaximum distance at which radiation is detected by the radiationdetector is used as a measurement.

When the measurement is displayed on the monitor screen, it is preferredthat the measurement be divided into a plurality of grades and displayedin a different color in each grade (claim 3).

The invention according to claim 4 relates to a device for obtaining ameasurement for carrying out the inventions according to claims 1 to 3and comprises a radiation detector for detecting in a pinpointed mannerradiation emitted from a human body and a distance measurement devicefor measuring the distance between the human body and the radiationdetector.

While the aforementioned conventional radiation tester may be used asthe radiation detector, the radiation detector allows detection withoutexperience if configured by a wave collecting unit provided on one sideof the casing for collecting waves emitted from a human body in apinpointed manner, a sensor provided at the rear of the wave collectingunit for detecting radiation and a detection/display unit that remainsactive while the sensor senses radiation (claim 5).

The sensor is designed such that an audio or optical alarm is given outwhen the dose emitted exceeds the meter range or a given dose.

The wave collecting unit allows for efficient convergence of collectedradiation into the measuring instrument if made in a conical form havingan opening large in diameter and tapered toward the rear.

The invention according to claim 6 is a device capable of specifyingradiation to be measured by providing, between the wave collecting unitand the sensor, a filter that passes only radiation of a givenwavelength.

The filter passes only radiation emitted from the patient. Whilemillimeter wave and far infrared ray are considered to be emitted fromaffected parts, the present invention includes, if any other radiationis discovered by future research, use of a filter that passes newlyfound waves.

The invention according to claim 7 is a distance measurement device madeinto a distance measurement sensor that can be worn in the palm of thehand or a finger. It is further convenient if the distance sensor isintegrally configured with the radiation detector.

According to the method of the present invention, it is possible tocollect human radiation in a pinpointed manner and obtain the dose orintensity thereof as quantitative numeric data. This data is enteredinto a computer and displayed in a human body distribution diagram onthe monitor screen, thus allowing easy specification of affected partsand commanding an overall bird's-eye view of the whole body conditionfor holistic medical care.

According to the device of the present invention, it is possible tocollect radiation emitted from a human body in a pinpointed manner andobtain, thanks to use of a sensor for detection, accurate data withoutexperience. Only radiation of a specific wavelength is extracted by afilter, thus cutting out radiation other than that radiated by affectedparts and electromagnetic waves other than those radiated by human bodyduring measurement.

According to the present invention, therefore, the above conventionalproblems will be all solved.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a device used for carrying out the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 shows an example of human body distribution diagram displayed onthe monitor before operation in the present invention;

FIG. 4 shows an example of human body distribution diagram displayed onthe monitor after operation in the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a front view of a first embodiment of a radiation detector ofthe present invention; and

FIG. 6 is a front view of a second embodiment of the radiation detector.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a device for carrying out the invention of theaffected part specifying method, with symbols 1, 2, 3 and 4 indicating aradiation detector, a distance measurement device that can be worn onthe hand or arm, a CPU and a computer monitor, respectively. FIG. 2illustrates a flow of the embodiment of the present invention.

First, the power switches of the computer 4 and the distance measurementdevice 2 are switched on, and then the start switches thereof areswitched on, thus completing preparations for the measurement.

Next, the radiation detector 1 is pointed toward an area of the humanbody to be measured, measuring the dose or intensity of radiation. Atthis time, the radiation detector is first brought close to the humanbody and then gradually moved away therefrom. The dose of radiationcollected by the radiation detector gradually decreases as the detectoris moved away, and at a certain distance the radiation detector nolonger detects radiation.

If a conventional radiation tester is used, the radiation is detectedbased on the magnitude of friction resulting from a technician rubbing atouch plate provided on the rear surface of the radiation tester,whereas when a sensor is used, the radiation is detected based on thesensor output.

After the position is found where radiation is undetectable by thefunction of the radiation detector, the distance from the human body tothe position is measured. While this measurement may be made using arule, it is quicker and more accurate to use the distance sensor.

Next, the distance is entered into the CPU 3. If the distance ismeasured with a rule, the value is entered from the keyboard. When thedistance is measured with the sensor, an electric signal is sent outfrom the sensor to the CPU.

In the CPU 3, entered distance numeric data is ranked into severalgrades and displayed in the human body distribution diagram 3 on themonitor 4 as color data associated with each rank.

It is possible to understand affected parts by observing the human bodydistribution diagram 3 showing the radiation data in different colors.

Then, the disorder is identified in consideration of the locations ofaffected parts and the symptoms complained of by the patient,administering appropriate treatment.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show examples of human body distribution diagram beforeand after operation in which the dose of radiation is evaluated in fivedifferent grades, with the radiation-abundant areas indicated by darkcolors. While areas with abundant radiation are distributed over theentire human body before the operation, such areas with abundantradiation remain only in specific areas after the operation, makingevident the effect of the operation.

Tables 1 and 2 show the relationship between the human body distributiondiagram evaluating the dose of radiation in five different grades usingthe method of the present invention and the areas where pain sensationis perceived by subjects.

Both Table 1 showing the pre-operation condition and Table 2 showing thepost-operation condition have confirmed that the grades of theradiation-abundant areas obtained by the method of the present inventionmatch with the areas where pain sensation is perceived for most of thesubjects.

That is, the present invention attempting to specify affected partsbased on the dose of radiation has been substantiated to be effective.

FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment of the radiation detector of thepresent invention.

In FIG. 5, there is provided, on one side of a casing 6, a wavecollecting unit 7 for collecting, in a pinpointed manner, waves emittedfrom a human body, whereas there is provided, at the back of the wavecollecting unit 7, a filter 8 for passing radiation of a givenwavelength, with a sensor 9 provided at the back of the filter 8 formeasuring radiation passing through the filter 8.

The wave collecting unit 7 is conical in form having an opening portion7 a large in diameter (e.g., 10 centimeters in diameter) and taperedtoward the rear, with the filter 8 in contact with the rear end of thewave collecting unit 7. The filter 8 is designed to pass only farinfrared ray.

The sensor 4 is intended to detect the dose and temperature of farinfrared ray passing through the filter 8. Since radiation emitted froma human body is targeted for measurement, the sensor 4 is configuredsuch that temperatures from 35 to 42° C. can be measured.

The measurement results of the sensor 9 are fed to a control unit 10,showing the temperature data on a meter 11 and indicating the radiationdose with a sound. That is, at areas other than affected parts,radiation is low in temperature and small in dose emitted, thusproducing a non-alarming sound. At affected parts, radiation is high intemperature or large in dose emitted, thus producing an alarming soundin the event of a high temperature or large emitted dose.

In the figure, symbol 12 is an ON/OFF switch.

To specify affected parts by the device according to the aboveembodiment, the switch 12 is switched on and then the opening portion 7a of the wave collecting unit 7 is moved while kept close to the humanbody. At areas other than affected parts while the opening portion 7 ais moved, the control unit 10 produces a non-alarming sound. When anarea is reached where radiation is high in temperature or large in dose,the control unit 10 produces an alarming sound.

When an alarming sound is produced, the wave collecting unit 7 isgradually moved away from the human body, reducing radiation at acertain point and changing the sound from an alarming to a non-alarmingone. Then, the distance from the human body to where the sound changedis measured. The magnitude of this distance constitutes a numeric valuerepresenting the magnitude of dose of radiation.

For measurement of the distance, it would be beneficial to use adistance sensor shaped so as to be held by the palm of the hand for useor install the distance sensor near the opening end of the wavecollecting unit 7 of the radiation detector so that the measurement ofthe radiation sensor can be automatically recorded by the CPU.

According to the above embodiment, the opening portion 7 a of the wavecollecting unit 7 is conical in form having a large diameter, allowingcollection of radiation with an appropriate area. Besides, radiationbecomes highly dense as a result of convergence at the rear end of thewave collecting unit 7, allowing accurate measurement of the temperatureand dose of radiation with a measuring instrument.

Additionally, measurement results are indicated by a sound, allowing theuser to easily measure radiation simply by paying attention to the soundwithout viewing the meter.

While, in the above embodiment, only the radiation temperature is shownon the meter and the temperature and dose of radiation are indicated bya sound, both temperature and dose of radiation may be shown on themeter alone. It is also conceivable to indicate the temperature leveland the magnitude of dose of radiation with two different sounds.

Further, temperature detection and the filter are not absolutelynecessary.

In the above embodiment, the dose of radiation is measured with thesensor 9, making it possible to enter the measurement as is into thecomputer for use as basic data for creating a human body distributiondiagram.

On the other hand, the sensor 9 may detect the presence/absence ofradiation alone, producing an alarming sound or lighting up a light forindication while radiation is being detected.

FIG. 6 illustrates a radiation detector having the cylindrical wavecollecting unit 7, with a conical converging portion 13 provided betweenthe filter 8 and the sensor 9 at the rear of the wave collecting unit 7.

In this embodiment, only radiation passing through the filter 8 isconverged and measured.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

According to the method of the present invention, it is possible tocollect human radiation in a pinpointed manner, obtaining the dose orintensity thereof as quantitative numeric data. This data is enteredinto a computer for display in a human body distribution diagram,allowing easy specification of affected parts and commanding an overallbird's-eye view of the whole body condition for holistic medical care.

According to the device of the present invention, it is possible tocollect radiation emitted from a human body in a pinpointed manner andobtain accurate data through detection with a sensor without requiringexperience. Only radiation of a specific wavelength is extracted by afilter, thus cutting out radiation other than that radiated by affectedparts and electromagnetic waves other than those radiated by human bodyduring measurement. TABLE 1 Confirmation of Pain Sensation by SRDRadiation Detector (Before Operation) Data confirming the order of areasof pain sensation indicated by SRD radiation detector from 305 subjectsSubjects who answered “The order of all five grades 253 is correct”Subjects who answered “The order of four out of five 31 grades iscorrect” Subjects who answered “The order of three out of five 21 gradesis correct” Subjects who answered “The order of two out of five 0 gradesis correct” Subjects who answered “The order of one out of five 0 gradesis correct” Subjects who answered “The order of all five grades 0 iswrong”

TABLE 2 Confirmation of Pain Sensation by SRD Radiation Detector (AfterOperation) Data confirming the order of areas of pain sensationindicated by SRD radiation detector from 305 subjects Subjects whoanswered “The order of all five grades 287 is correct” Subjects whoanswered “The order of four out of five 18 grades is correct” Subjectswho answered “The order of three out of five 0 grades is correct”Subjects who answered “The order of two out of five 0 grades is correct”Subjects who answered “The order of one out of five 0 grades is correct”Subjects who answered “The order of all five grades 0 is wrong”

1. A method for specifying affected parts comprising the steps of:detecting radiation emitted from a human body in a pinpointed manner bya radiation detector; inputting a detected radiation dose or intensityto a computer; and displaying the radiation dose or intensity for eacharea of the human body in a human body distribution diagram on a monitorscreen.
 2. The method for specifying affected parts according to claim1, wherein the radiation dose or intensity is measured as the radiationdetector is being gradually distanced from the human body, and whereinthe maximum distance at which the radiation detector can detectradiation rays is used as a measurement.
 3. The method for specifyingaffected parts according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the measurement isdivided into a plurality of grades and displayed in a different color ineach grade for display on the monitor screen.
 4. A device for specifyingaffected parts comprising: a radiation detector for detecting radiationemitted from a human body in a pinpointed manner; and a distancemeasurement device for measuring the distance between the human body andthe radiation detector.
 5. The device for specifying affected partsaccording to claim 4, wherein the radiation detector comprises: a wavecollecting unit disposed on one side of a casing for collectingradiation waves emitted from the human body in a pinpointed manner; asensor disposed at the rear of the wave collecting unit for sensingradiation; and a detection/display unit that remains active while thesensor senses radiation.
 6. The device for specifying affected partsaccording to claim 5, wherein a filter is disposed, between the wavecollecting unit and the sensor, that passes only radiation of a givenwavelength.
 7. The device for specifying affected parts according toclaim 4, wherein the distance measurement device is a distance sensorthat can be worn in the palm of the hand or a finger.
 8. The affectedpart specifying device according to claim 4, wherein the distancemeasurement device is a distance sensor that is integrated with theradiation detector.